Rotational spectroscopy is of critical importance when it comes to understanding both how and what molecules exist in the interstellar medium (ISM). In recent years, many chemical pathways have been proposed involving highly reactive intermediates that play critical rolls in the synthesis of biologically relevant molecules. The observation of both unstable intermediates and biologically relevant molecules in an experimentally controlled setting is necessary for the deconvolution of astronomical data and understanding of the processes that occur in the ISM. In this work we report on the millimeter/submillilmeter spectra of glycolic acid (HOCOCH2OH) and glycolamide (H2NCOCH2OH), as well as show the initial steps to obtaining such spectra for their highly reactive counterparts carbonic (HOCOOH) and carbamic acid (H2NCOOH). Both glycolic acid and glycolamide were studied using direct absorption spectroscopy in a flow-cell experiment by sublimation of solid sample. Their spectral lines have been observed and assigned from 50 GHz – 1 THz. The unstable counterparts carbonic or carbamic acid are more challenging, with no information available for carbamic acid and only limited results for carbonic acid. Thus, spectral predictions have been performed as a starting point for our work. Since both species are terrestrially unstable, they are being synthesized through an O(1D) insertion reaction with formic acid (HCOOH) and formamide (HCONH2), respectively, before being isolated in a supersonic expansion. We will report on the calculations, laboratory measurements, and analysis for each of these molecular targets.

Laboratory observation of organic acid and amide prebiotic target molecules by millimeter/submillimeter spectroscopy

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.